Headlight Glass/lens

[BavarianWheels]

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I'm a new owner of a '01 e46. The headlight covers are scratched and full of road wear and look nasty.

Can they be polished to near new again? Can the lens itself be replaced with new lenses? What about aftermarket lighting kits? Which is the better brand and what am I looking at in cost for the xenon halo style? If I go with xenon, do they convert without mods or will I need to make some mods?

Thx.
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[Big Daddy]

I use Meguiare's plastic polishes and cleaners on my headlamp covers as well as my rear plastic window, works great!

 

[Detrich]

was it Meguire's Plastic-X spray?

i've been wanting to try that also...

 

[Big Daddy]

No it was the Meguiars #17 Plastic Cleaner and #10 polish.

 

[BavarianWheels]

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Well...I tried polishing compound and it did nothing. I moved up to rubbing compound and had the same result. I'm assuming this is more than just road scratches and debris. I'll take a pic this evening and post.
(couldn't find the Meguiar's locally so I tried "next best thing"...)

In the meantime, can the glass/plastic be replaced or do I have to purchase a whole light assy(s)?
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[Big Daddy]

Which E46 do you have? Yes in some cases the lenses can be purchased separately.

 

[BavarianWheels]

Which E46 do you have? Yes in some cases the lenses can be purchased separately.

2001 325i sedan.
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[Big Daddy]

Here is your headlamp, left side (up to 09/2001):

The part number for item #1 is: 63128380189

Pelican Parts shows it for $32.00, you would need to get the left and right I assume:

 

[Tom]

I use Meguiare's plastic polishes and cleaners on my headlamp covers as well as my rear plastic window, works great!

Ditto on that one, I use it for almost any scratch on plastic. Funny thing was that it was recommended to me from the folks at Valentine 1.

 

[BavarianWheels]

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$32.00...is excellent! I was expecting $100.00 or so a piece.

Is there a step-by-step assembly/disassembly available online? I'll google search for one.

Didn't get to the pic last night...sorry.
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[BavarianWheels]

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Found one for headlamps on e38's at e38 dot org...otherwise I've not found for the '01 e46.
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[BavarianWheels]

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Found a random shot taken with the car. I cropped the rest out. But unfortunately this picture wasn't taken with showcasing the headlamp lens in mind. I hope you can make out the problem and see the severity.

Still looking for a tutorial to aid me in replacing these lenses. Thx.
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[Big Daddy]

They look like the gunk is on the inside, I believe you would have to remove them from the car to remove the lenses. See if this link helps?